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US treasury official raises alarm on environmental risks from illicit transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia
- A U.S. treasury official has warned of environmental risks from Iranian oil transfers off Malaysia.
- Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, voiced Iran’s revenue generation through the sale of illicit oil in East Asia and the associated risks.
- Concerns were raised about Malaysia potentially becoming a financial hub for Hamas, prompting calls to prevent this.
A U.S. treasury official warned of environmental risks from illicit transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia, news portal Malaysiakini reported on Thursday, as the United States narrows its focus on financing for militant groups routed through Southeast Asia.
The United States sees Iran’s capacity to move its oil as being reliant on service providers based in Malaysia, a senior U.S. treasury official said this week.
The official also said the United States was attempting to prevent Malaysia from becoming a jurisdiction where the Palestinian militant group Hamas could raise and transfer funds.
BIDEN ‘DOESN’T HAVE THE STOMACH’ TO GO AFTER IRAN’S OIL, SAYS GEN. KEANE: ‘IT’S ALL ABOUT CHINA’
Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said one of the main ways Iran raised money was through the sale of illicit oil to buyers in East Asia, Malaysiakini reported.
The Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal is seen in Iran on March 12, 2017. A U.S. treasury official has warned of environmental risks from illicit transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
“Many of these shipments traverse the waters around Malaysia and are loaded onto vessels of questionable legitimacy that may also pose major environmental and safety risks,” he was reported as saying.
Nelson expressed concern for any parties providing “ship-to-ship” transfers of illicit oil as such manoeuvres could lead to accidents or oil spills that threatened Malaysia’s coasts.
The U.S. Treasury has also seen an uptick in attempts by Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, to raise and move money in Southeast Asia, Nelson added.
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He urged those who wish to support humanitarian assistance to Gaza to donate to reputable charities to ensure the funds were not diverted elsewhere.
Nelson and Neil MacBride, Treasury General Counsel, are on a visit to Singapore and Malaysia this week to advance efforts in countering financing and revenue generation by Iran and its proxies.
The office of Malaysia’s prime minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he conveyed the country’s stance regarding sanctions to Nelson, during a meeting on Thursday. Saifuddin said Malaysia would comply with United Nations sanctions but would not recognize unilaterally applied sanctions.
He told reporters he also informed Nelson that Malaysia had investigated and taken action against an organization with suspected links to Palestine. He did not name the organization.
Dallas, TX
Before The Boys, Chace Crawford Starred In A Dallas-Esque Drama With Don Johnson – TVLine
From the golden boy charm of heartthrob Nate Archibald to the bizarre sea-creature fetishes of the Deep, Chace Crawford’s career has been defined by two iconic and wildly different roles. But there’s another big part sandwiched between those two you might’ve forgotten about.
Four years before he joined the blood- and carnage-filled world of “The Boys” — currently in the midst of its skull-crushing fifth and final season — he took part in a short-lived “Dallas”-esque primetime soap opera called “Blood & Oil” starring opposite Don Johnson of ’80s “Miami Vice” fame.
Set during the present-day oil boom in North Dakota, 2015’s “Blood & Oil” follows Billy LeFever (Crawford), an ambitious working man who relocates to the bustling town of Rock Springs with his wife, Cody (Rebecca Rittenhouse), to try their luck in the black gold business. But drama soon unfolds after he engages in risky dealings with a swindling oil tycoon named Hap Briggs (Johnson).
Crawford signed up for the role just three years after “Gossip Girl” and he opened up to People about why he was excited to tackle the opportunity.
“It was a great situation, and I get to play a completely different character than the one I portrayed for six years,” he told the outlet. “It’s nice to be able to play something that’s closer to home for me. And to not have to shave my face off every day.”
Blood & Oil was not renewed for a second season due to poor ratings
“Blood & Oil” mostly scored mixed to average reviews (it has a 63% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a lower 40% audience score). Some critics brushed it off as just another pale “Dallas” wannabe, while others found Crawford’s presence insufficiently commanding for the lead role.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, behind-the-scenes clashes resulted in a last-minute showrunner swap, and ABC reduced its original order of 13 episodes down to 10 during its run, which didn’t bode well. The outlet also reported that “Blood & Oil” opened with a modest 6.3 million total viewers which eventually dwindled to 3.1 million and a 0.7 rating by the time the final episode of “Blood & Oil” aired. The series was not renewed for a second season.
If you want to check out all 10 episodes of the show, they’re currently only available for purchase on Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
Dubai has landed in Miami.
Fundamental Hospitality — the UAE-born powerhouse behind hot spots like Shanghai Me, Alaya, and La Maison Ani — quietly previewed its first US outpost in Miami this weekend.
Stars like Bethenny Frankel, Braxton Berrios and Larsa Pippen attended the four-night preview of Gaia Miami last Thursday to Sunday, a source told Page Six.
We’re told partners Evgeny Kuzin and Izu Ani “rolled out the red carpet” for a handpicked group of the coastal-Floridian city’s most influential names for a first look ahead of the official opening later this week.
To kick things off, the Mayor of Miami Beach, Steven Meiner, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Inside, the scene leaned more private members club than restaurant preview,” the source said.
We’re told couples Kevin and Kate Love and David Lee and Caroline Wozniacki dined alongside NBA icon Pat Riley and NFL standout Jon Vilma.
Claire Holt was seen arriving with her fiancé, developer Andrew Joblon, alongside real estate bigwig Alex Witkoff.
Housewives spotted dining throughout the soft launch included Bethenny Frankel, Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola and Pippen — who wore an eye-catching gold dress for the occasion.
Frankel even took to Instagram to give a rave review for the restaurant, calling it “the best restaurant in Miami.”
The starry guest list included developer Jorge Perez, Major Food Group co-founders Jeff Zalaznick and Mario Carbone, nightlife mainstay Chris Paciello, branding mogul Steve Stoute and architect Kobi Karp.
Influencer Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheban also dined there and took to social media to share his experience at the new eatery, writing in the caption, “Good luck getting in.”
Some of the city’s biggest business heavyweights were also in tow, including Dave Grutman and his wife Isabela, and Pura Vida founders Omer and Jennifer Horev.
The menu includes fresh Mediterranean dishes like tuna with truffle, tuna tartar with caviar, watermelon salad, Greek salad, baked feta cheese, Greek-style meatballs and lobster pasta.
As for desserts, patrons can indulge in fried Greek doughnuts, Gia cheesecake, filo mille feuilles, coconut cake, the “Dirty Cookie” with toasted hazelnut, pralines and tahiti vanilla ice cream.
“Little Women: Atlanta” star Ms. Juicy Baby is facing legal trouble.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 31: Ms. Juicy Baby attends the 2019 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at Atlanta Symphony Hall on January 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for BET)
Ms. Juicy, real name Shirlene King-Pearson, was arrested in Winder, Ga. And charged with two offenses: allegedly driving with a suspended license and without insurance, according to a report from E! News.
The incident occurred on April 18 around 7 p.m. and she was released close to six hours later by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
The reality star paid two separate bonds via a bondsman, one for $2,214 and another for $1,510, to be released.
Ms. Juicy rose to fame on Lifetime’s “Little Women: Atlanta” in 2016, documenting her life as a four-foot-tall woman.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 09: Shirlene ‘Ms. Juicy Baby’ Pearson attends “Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta” season 2 premiere party at Woodruff Arts Center on January 9, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for WEtv)
According to her personal website, in addition to her reality TV and acting work, she has “launched her own successful clothing line which includes her trademark slogans and one-liners, her own bobblehead where you can hear her signature phrases and quick one-liners, as well as her own sunglasses line, Eminence Eyewear by Juicy.”
She apparently faced some health issues in the recent past, posting on Instagram in April 2022 that she had been hospitalized and “stabilized in the ICU,” but did not specify the cause.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 01: Shirlene ‘Ms. Juicy Baby’ Pearson attends The “Bobby-Q” Atlanta Premiere Of “The Bobby Brown Story” at Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
A month later, her a statement was posted to her page confirming she was out of the ICU after suffering a stroke.
“Ms Juicy is a very private person and wants everyone to know she is fighting and ready to go home,” the post read. “She wants to thank her fans for showing so much love and keeping her in their prayers.”
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